Another question about Pressure Cookers...

[Jewel]

I have had a little pressure cooker for several years, but it's a cheapie $20 Aluminum Mirro brand I bought at a liquidation store. I know I would use a 'good' pressure cooker more often, but I'm confused on what size I need, as well as what brand. If my 'Santa' asks me what I'd like this year, I'd prefer to give him exact measurements and brand names... :p

By looking at past posts on this BB, you all seem to lean toward either the Fagor or the Kuhn Rikon. I noticed the Kuhn Rikon costs more, but why? Is it heavier? Safer? Or are you just paying for the name? I'm also unsure about size. I cook mainly just for Dave and myself, but I do cook larger pots of beans and soups. If I started pressure cooking these recipes, I'd be better off with the larger one? I'm worried about buying a 6 qt then only wanting to do a few pork chops or chicken breasts, and have ALL that space! Is cooking too little in the big pot a problem?

Here's the link to the 4 qt Fagor at Chefs Catalog...they also have the 6 qt which is $99.99

http://www.chefscatalog.com/product.jhtml?sku_id=624025

I'm also curious about electric vs. stovetop. I have NO counter space, so if I bought an electric I'd have to store it in the basement and bring it up when I needed it. Am I right in assuming that an electric should be purchased only if I plan on using it quite often? :confused:

I just want to give my cute little Santa the right info this year! Any advice will be appreciated! :D

[sneezles]

OK, I'll give my pitch for the electric one...
I really, really love the convenience of being able to program it to start and stop or keep warm without me in the kitchen. It also browns or steams. No separate valve to worry about flying off. Don't have to give up a burner for that pot. Keeps nicely on the shelf in the laundry room (we don't have a basement). Only complaint-they came out with a bigger one 3 months after I bought mine!

[Jewel]

Sneezles, in all the posts I looked at in the 'search', you seemed to be the only one with an electric! :) Wish I had a laundry shelf, but my laundry room is ALSO the basement... :rolleyes: It has to go into a cabinet or basement, no where else!

I did a bit more looking, and found what looks like a really cool deal on a couple of Fagors. Would someone tell me what you think? Click on 'duo pressure cookers' then the deal towards the bottom that says 2 x 1 for $139.99

http://www.shiptheweb.com/shiptheweb.storefront/EN/Catalog/1173

This way I could have the small one and the large one when needed! Doesn't look like a bad price either. Anyone ever use these?

[SusanT]

That looks like a pretty good deal. I paid about $60 for my 6 qt Fagor at Bed Bath and Beyond.

[shoyski]

Jewel, thanks for doing all of this research. I was planning on asking for the same from Santa.

Question: Any idea what pressure settings are on the duo combo? I noticed that some pots have two setttings (15 and 8.5) and some only come with one setting. I'm not even clear on the advantage of having more than one setting.

[Jewel]

Originally posted by shoyski
Question: Any idea what pressure settings are on the duo combo? I noticed that some pots have two setttings (15 and 8.5) and some only come with one setting. I'm not even clear on the advantage of having more than one setting.

I agree with you! I'm still such a novice at pressure cooking that I'm not sure of the advantage either, maybe one of our BB experts will tell both of us? :D:D:D I think this one is 8.5 and 15 since the others are.

Not sure if I want to spend $140 on two, or just pay $80 or so on one. Does anybody think that a 6 qt pressure cooker for a family of only 2 would be overkill? :confused: I don't want to get too small a cooker, either!

[SusanT]

Jewel - my family consists of my husband and I and we have a 6 qt pressure cooker. For some recipes you can only fill it half full and only 2/3 full at all times, so the actual usable capacity only works out to 3 or 4 quarts.

A 6 qt should be just fine.

[Jewel]

Thank you Susan! :) I may just have to take DH into Bed, Bath and Beyond to point the 6 qt Fagor out to him...maybe make him write down the model number?

Nothing like being subtle at Christmas time! :D I have to give him hints though...when left to his own devices, that man can come up with some pretty strange gifts!

[SusanT]

I usually tell DH exactly what I want which is usually something cooking related. He doesn't mind - as he says, he always benefits from these gifts!

[Jewel]

Susan, did you ever buy any pressure cooker cookbooks? I just found a 'deal' on Amazon.com...I bought Cooking Under Pressure and The Pressured Cook both by Lorna Sass. When purchased together it was $31 for the two! The reviews on this BB for her cookbooks seem to be pretty favorable, so I grabbed 'em!

Now DH REALLY has to buy me one of these things for Christmas! ;) Oh well, I can always use my old 4 qt Mirro until then!

[SusanT]

No, Jewel - I haven't bought a cookbook yet. Thanks for the tip - I'll check out Amazon!

[gertdog]

Just another recommendation for the Fagor 6 qt. pressure cooker. I cook for two and it's a good size for us. As Susan pointed out above, for some recipes you can only fill the pot part way... this is because if you fill it too full, bean skins or other gunk can get into the pressure valve and clog it. I wouldn't get a smaller cooker if you plan to cook beans or stews, soups etc. with beans in them.